Gujarat government to implement 10 per cent forward quota from today

The Gujarat government has decided to implement 10 per cent reservations in government jobs and higher education for the economically weaker sections among the general category from January 14 i.e. today. Gujarat – a BJP ruled state – will become the first state to do so after the Bill became law on Saturday after getting the assent of President Ram Nath Kovind. “Happy to state that the Government Of Gujarat has decided to implement 10% EWS reservation benefits from 14th January, 2019. It will be implemented in all ongoing recruitment process too wherein there is the only Advertisement published but first stage of examination is yet to held (sic),” Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani tweeted.

Happy to state that the Government Of Gujarat has decided to implement 10% EWS reservation benefits from 14th January, 2019. It will be implemented in all ongoing recruitment process too wherein there is only Advertisement published but first stage of examination is yet to held.

— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) January 13, 2019

"The economically weaker sections from the general category will get 10 per cent reservation in admissions to higher education and government jobs starting Uttarayan on January 14," the Gujarat government said in a release.

The new quota will also be implemented in admissions and jobs which were advertised before January 14 but for which the actual process has not started, the release added.

According to the release fresh announcement about the admission process or jobs will have to be made in such cases. However, if the recruitment or admission process -- tests or interviews -- has started before January 14, the 10 per cent quota would not apply, the release added.

“The Gujarat Public Service Commission would procrastinate all the preliminary exams to be held on 20th January, 2019 and thereafter in the wake of implementation of EWS reservation. The  @GPSC_OFFICIAL would release further details from time to time (sic),” tweeted Dinesh Dasa - Chairman, Gujarat Public Service Commission.

The Gujarat Public Service Commission would procrastinate all the preliminary exams to be held on 20th January, 2019 and thereafter in the wake of implementation of EWS reservation. The @GPSC_OFFICIAL would release further details from time to time. https://t.co/7K2aTCEIwd

— Dinesh Dasa (@dineshdasa1) January 13, 2019

Gujarat Congress has criticised the announcement, saying it will create confusion.

"The government has said it will implement the provision from January 14, which is Uttarayan holiday. The chief minister should explain the logic behind this announcement and the process to implement it," Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda said.

It may be recalled that Gujarat government under Anandiben Patel had implemented a similar 10 per cent reservation for the economically backward among upper castes following a violent protest by the influential Patidars.